EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2017	Oct. 30, 2016	[1]	Jul. 31, 2016	May 01, 2016	[2]	Jan. 31, 2016	[3]	Nov. 01, 2015	Aug. 02, 2015	May 03, 2015	Feb. 01, 2015	[4]	Oct. 30, 2016		Nov. 01, 2015		Nov. 02, 2014
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders		$ 5,256		$ 8,088	$ 11,854		$ 21,002		$ 18,622	$ 12,106	$ 10,060	$ 3,837		$ 46,200	[3],[5]	$ 44,625	[4]	$ 25,996
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of related tax effects														2,938		4,363		1,426
Earnings for diluted earnings per share														$ 49,138		$ 48,988		$ 27,422
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)														67,539		66,331		61,779
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Convertible notes (in shares)														7,841		11,085		3,945
Share-based payment awards (in shares)														974		967		955
Dilutive common shares (in shares)														8,815		12,052		4,900
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)														76,354		78,383		66,679
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.08		$ 0.12	$ 0.18		$ 0.31		$ 0.28	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.06		$ 0.68	[3],[5]	$ 0.67	[4]	$ 0.42
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.08		$ 0.12	$ 0.16		$ 0.28		$ 0.25	$ 0.17	$ 0.14	$ 0.06		$ 0.64	[3],[5]	$ 0.63	[4]	$ 0.41
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)														1,635		1,641		12,996
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based payment awards issued after fiscal year 2016 (in shares)	600
Share-based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)														1,635		1,641		1,911
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)														0		0		11,085

[1] Includes a tax benefit in Taiwan of $3.0 million related to the recognition of prior period tax benefits and other tax positions no longer deemed necessary.

[2] Includes a tax benefit in Taiwan of $1.8 million related to prior years.

[3] Includes $8.8 million gain on sale of investment in a foreign entity.

[4] Includes expenses of $0.9 million of financing expenses related to the exchange of $57.5 million 3.25% convertible senior notes.

[5] Includes tax benefits in Taiwan of $4.8 million primarily related to the recognition of prior period tax benefits and other tax positions no longer deemed necessary.